5.12.2005 - Federer and Coria’s Quarterfinal match feels like a final, in fact this was last year's Hamburg final. (Wow, REALLY?????) How about Gasquet playing his way through qualies for the third straight Master Series? (OK, how about it??) France hasn’t had a Grand Slam Champion since Noah in 1983 and before then it was the Four Musketeers back in the1920’s and early 1930’s. Gasquet and Monfils represent the new generation for France; I just hope they can handle the French press. Speaking of the press, there should be a huge media blitz with Andy rocking the Croc. It's good to see the old-school look is coming back. (That's random... but Lauren, he copied you!!!!!!!)

Here’s some food for thought; who would have expected that Safin and Serena would be struggling so poorly after winning the Australian Open. They are both limping towards Roland Garros which is not a good sign. (uh, anyone who's been following tennis and knows they've both been really streaky for a couple years?)

I’m really hoping for a Federer/Gasquet final in Hamburg. I look for Federer to win the grudge match in two. (Right, too bad it's best-of-5) If he does he will have improved his record on clay this year to 9-1, not too shabby considering that it’s his least favorite surface. I expect Gasquet mania to be at fever pitch for Roland Garros. This kid might want to have a talk with Henman about handling the home town media. (Yeah, cuz Henman does such an awesome job with that)

It’s T-minus two for Maria to the number one ranking. Like Federer and Gasquet, she’s been steam-rolling people all week. She battled hard and is definitely worthy of the number one position.

For the top players the next ten days are like the week before the Kentucky Derby. It’s time to put the horses back in the stables, so they come out fresh at the starting gate. Nadal, Federer, Coria, Henin-Hardenne and Clijsters are all obvious front runners. But don’t count out the old war horse Andre Agassi; he still has the legs to make a strong run. (UH WHAT????????? Yeah, ok. Andre might win RG. HAHAHA)

Amazing Moron Carillo sees Roddick's main problem as court positioning: he stands too far back. "If he wants to use his power and to end some points at the net, he should be tighter into the court," she said. Roddick and his coach Dean Goldfine are well aware of the problem, but it's not an easy one to solve, Carillo noted. "It's like if you're used to standing two feet away talking to someone and all of the sudden you have to get a foot closer."

To Stolle and Scott, Roddick's key deficiency is his volley. "That's far and away the weakest part of his game," said Stolle, the Australian TV commentator. "He hits some good ones, but he will make a lot of errors. If he refines that, he's a great player and can win more majors."

But Scott thinks that will be difficult. "He's a great kid, but in my opinion, he'll never learn to volley to the point where it's fun for him. He didn't learn it early. For Pete Sampras and the old Australians, it was part of their life — like eating breakfast."

....Pete was so brilliant with his countless weapons on clay. Strange how a healthy, lazy Andy beat Pete on clay and hardcourt.
Do these "experts" live in a fantasy where all players were born with great family help, amazing genes & big desire?

Scott sees one other problem for Roddick: the stressful style of his strokes. "His serve and forehand are tortured shots. His game isn't facile and fluid." The big question: "Will he make it through without injuring himself?" Scott said. "My worry is that he'll spend more time in the trainer's room than in the training room." lmfao... I bet Scott Dumbass believes that it's fluid & stress-free to blast
the ball as long as Roddick isn't the player.
I'm sure Scott'll repeat the mantra "It's not ball bashing. It's incredible racket-head speed ---genius fast serves & returns.
It's weird how Andy rarely tore up his muscles, but his "effortless, stress-free opponents" had ripped-muscles/broken bones.